Clean up DJ Halli by Monday: HC to Palike

Observing that DJ Halli is unfit even for animals to live, the High Court on Thursday directed the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to clear the garbage piled up in the entire ward by next Monday.

Hearing a PIL seeking to clear encroachment of storm watered drain (SWD), the division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice Ram Mohan Reddy directed the BBMP authorities to submit a report along with photographs.

The direction came after the counsel for petitioner V J Benjamin furnished photographs of D J Halli where the SWDs have been choked and the garbage is strewn all over the streets.

“The PIL has sought an action against the unauthorised constructions and removal of sublane from the drains and reconstruct the SWDs in such a manner that the water flows without any obstruction.The conditions prevailing in the area in question is atrocious and intolerable even for living of animals,” the bench observed.

The bench then directed the BBMP to clean the entire locality before March 16 and file a report by March 17 along with photographs.

“Learned counsel cited several logistical problems, but conceded that it was the primary responsibility of the officers of the BBMP to ensure roads and drains are maintained in proper condition. He submitted that the engineers concerned will deploy special staff and equipment for immediate cleaning up and necessary repairs of the drains and roads on ward no 48, which will be completed by March 16,” the bench said.

The bench also directed the petitioners to convince the residents not to dump garbage on streets.